Back on the road for women’s basketball Sunday

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee women’s basketball team will play away from home for the third time in its opening four games when it travels to Harrisonburg, Va., to face James Madison at 1 p.m. Central Sunday.

The Blue Raiders improved to 2-1 in their last outing, a 59-49 victory over South Dakota State Thursday night in the home opener. Junior Icelyn Elie paced the squad with 22 points on a near-perfect shooting performance, knocking down 7-of-8 field goals and all eight of her free throw attempts.

She was joined in double figures by classmate Kortni Jones, who buried two 3-pointers among her five field goals for 16 points, while handing out a team-high three assists.

James Madison brings a 3-0 record into Sunday’s tilt after defeating Maryland-Eastern Shore Thursday, 61-53, at the JMU Convocation Center. The Dukes were led by 16 points apiece from sophomore Kirby Burkholder and junior Tarik Hislop, a Preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association Second Team honoree.

Head coach Kenny Brooks, in his 10th season at the helm of the James Madison program, recently won his 200th career game and has led the Dukes to back-to-back CAA conference titles.

The two teams met for the first time last year (Dec. 12, 2010) with Middle Tennessee pulling out an 81-75 home victory, as Elie registered a double-double of 25 points and a career-best 16 rebounds. Four Blue Raiders reached the double-figure scoring plateau to lead a balanced offensive attack.

Sunday’s action can be heard on the Blue Raider Network with Dick Palmer handling play-by-play. Stations carrying the broadcast include WMOT (89.5 FM) and WGNS (1450 AM, 100.5 FM, 101.9 FM).

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.